No. 2 Georgia is preparing to play Florida on Saturday, but much attention is being paid to future games in the longtime rivalry.
As is tradition, the game Saturday will be played in Jacksonville, Fla. But a $1.4 billion renovation project at EverBank Stadium, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, will make the venue unplayable from 2026-27.
The Action Network reported Wednesday that the two teams will play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in 2026 and at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa the following year, giving each team a game in its state.
The teams have met in Jacksonville since 1933, except when games were played on the schools’ home fields from 1994-95, according to Georgia’s website. The teams first played in 1904.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters Wednesday on the SEC Coaches teleconference call that the location of the game wasn’t his top priority this week.
“I mean, I’m so engulfed in this — in the game,’ Smart said. “I recognize why it’s a story for you guys, but I’m so consumed by, you know, our team. We’re trying to get our team better for Florida. That’s my focus. I mean, I really hadn’t been involved in those discussions.”
There had been talk about putting the games on the teams’ home fields with Jacksonville unavailable, but it appears that won’t be the case.
Georgia enters the game this week at 6-1 (4-1 SEC) and eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff. Florida is 4-3 (2-2 SEC) and has won three of the past four games after a 1-2 start.
Georgia leads the series 56-44-2, including 49-41-1 in Jacksonville. The Bulldogs have won the past three and six of the past seven games.
–Field Level Media
